How to Find a Doctor With and Without Health Insurance

MotivationSeptember 23, 2019

Finding a doctor is easier said than done. There can be tens to hundreds of doctors in your area, and finding the right one that best suits your personality can be tricky. If you are in the market for finding a new doctor, here are some tips on how to track down the right one with or without health insurance.

WITH HEALTH INSURANCE

Get in touch with your insurance company

If you don’t know the details of your insurance plan, which I hope you do, you can get in touch with your insurance company to make sure which plan you are on. Knowing your insurance plan will help you understand what coverage they provide and whether there are any limitations to doctor visits.

Covered practitioners

Most regular insurance plans only provide coverage for a specific list of primary care providers in your area. You are free to make an appointment with any doctor in your area, but if your health insurance plan does not cover it, you might have to pay an additional amount.

Reviews and Recommendations

After receiving the covered practitioners list, you should consult members of the community. Ask friends, coworkers, family, or neighbors about their experiences at these doctors. Getting some referrals and inside information will help you make your final decision.

WITHOUT HEALTH INSURANCE

Finding a doctor when you don’t have health insurance is similar to the above advice, with some exceptions.

Pay out of your own pocket

If you aren’t part of a health insurance plan, you have the disadvantage of having to pay all of your doctor’s visits, medication, and specialists visit out of your own pocket. You must ask for recommendations as well as phone the doctor’s office to make sure if you can afford the consultation fee.

Some doctor’s consultation fee is higher than others (Although you can’t put a price on decent health care). Find out if they offer any payment plans for self-pay patients.

Walk-in Clinic or Emergency Room

A great alternative to visiting a doctor’s room is finding a walk-in clinic. This can include an on-site nurse in a pharmacy or shopping center. Walk-in clinics aren’t staffed by certified doctors, which means that they won’t be able to write you a prescription. You can get generic medication at these facilities that include standard flu medicines, vaccinations, and certain injections.

Consult pharmacists for over-the-counter medication if you don’t have any serious ailments. Pharmacists usually have experience in general medical conditions and can recommend medication.

Emergency rooms are areas that can usually be found next to the hospital. There will be general practitioners or nurses on call to help patients with urgent emergencies or patients who have been in accidents.

The fees are usually not as steep, and you won’t have to pay a consultation fee.
If you have serious medical problems or any chronic diseases, it’s not advised that you rely on clinics or emergency rooms.

Keep in mind that you should find a suitable doctor before you get sick. Shopping around for a general practitioner while your head is throbbing and your stomach aching is not the best idea. Happy hunting!